Quartz has supplied the CBS News news bureau with its new Q256 SDI router, configured as a 160x128 I/O matrix.

Quartz Electronics has supplied CBS News with new equipment for the upcoming relocation of its European Broadcast center from Knightsbridge to Chiswick Park in London. The new CBS facility will provide a link between CBS New York and its contributors in London and throughout the EAME region.

The order follows the successful installation of a Quartz Q128 SDI router delivered to the news bureau in 2002. During the move, which will take place in January 2005, CBS News will upgrade from the Q128 - to a new Q256 SDI router. The router will initially be configured as 160x128 I/O, and be expandable to 256x256 within the 16RU frame.

The Q256 is a compact large-scale serial digital router, scaleable in steps of 32 up to a maximum of 1024x1024 using additional frames. Input and output expansion capability is built into every frame.

The Q256 at CBS News will route a pool of equipment, including satellite receivers, a large server system, standards converters, production switchers, cameras, monitor stacks and aspect ratio converters.

Management of the routing equipment is via a Quartz SC-1000 system controller, with user control from 25 plus customized intelligent Quartz control panels.